By James Slater: November 5th of this year really is going to be one massive night of boxing. So far, in countries ranging from America to the U.K, to Canada to Mexico, there are getting on for around TEN significant, potentially exciting bouts set to take place, with most of them contesting a major title of some kind.

On Nov. 5th we will have: Lucian Bute-Glen Johnson in Canada, James Kirkland-Alfredo Angulo in Mexico, Ricky Burns-Michael Katsidis in the U.K, Denis Lebedev-James Toney in Russia (this fight has actually been moved forward a day, but it’ll be part of the same action-packed weekend) and Mikkel Kessler-Robert Stieglitz in Denmark. That list - not forgetting the support bouts these fights will have - equals one mega night of pro boxing!

And, as if that wasn’t enough fights for one night, it has just been announced how WBA cruiserweight champ Guillermo Jones will defend his belt against Michael Marrone that same day. This fight will go down at The Hard Rock in Hollywood, Florida and Don King will promote.

38-year-old Jones, 37-3-2(29) will be making the second defence of the belt he won with a 10th-round TKO over Firat Arslan back in September of 2008. A long layoff followed, before the Panamanian retained his belt with a 11th-round TKO of Valery Brudov this past October. Now, looking to get back into the action, “El Felino” will meet the much younger Marrone.

26-year-old Marrone, 20-3(15) has never fought as low as 200-pounde before; his original ambition to become a heavyweight ruler. The Vero Beach man turned pro back in early 2004 and he romped to a straight 18 wins, with many coming via quick KO. Seen as a definite prospect, Marrone unfortunately suffered a bad patch beginning with his 2008 2nd-round stoppage loss to Francesco Pianeta. Over two years passed before Marrone returned to the ring, and he has enjoyed only partial success ever since.

One win was picked up, then two losses (including a second stoppage loss, this one to DaVarryl Williamson - KO by7) and then another win. Weighing in at 214, Marrone stopped one James Pratt inside a round last month. Can Marrone now put up a serious challenge against the experienced Jones?

At such a young age, shifting the weight should be no real problem for Marrone, who was a smallish heavyweight in the first place (he never weighed more than the mid-220s), and he has the speed needed to be able to compete as a cruiser. But how will Marrone’s chin stand up to the considerable power the Panamanian has in his fists? Marrone has genuine heart, he is young and hungry and he is sure to be hugely motivated by this unexpected big chance.

Still, unless Jones is suffering from a major case of rust and unless he seriously overlooks his next challenger, it’s not hard to envisage a quick win for the champ. Marrone has been stopped before; he will be again in my opinion. How long will this fight last? Without being disrespectful, that will be up to the WBA champion.